Although I usually have a strong brand loyalty (Apple, Sony, TiVo), this week I’m putting to test one of my favorite brands, Netflix. Yes, I’m doing the unthinkable, putting my Netflix account on hold to try Blockbuster Online. Although I still have a bad taste in my mouth from Blockbuster’s late fees over the last two decades, I’m ready to give their online store a try. At first glance Blockbuster Online seems almost identical to Netflix’s core features. Unlimited rentals for a flat fee, have three at a time, star ratings, customer reviews, huge catalog of DVDs etc. Why would I switch you might ask? For one thing it’s $3 cheaper. Not reason enough if their service is not as good as Netflix but a good plus. Second, 2 free rentals a month at my local store for those immediate cravings you might have to see something NOW as opposed to LET’S SEND SOME MOVIES BACK, UPDATE OUR QUEUE AND HOPE WE STILL WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE WHEN WE GET IT IN THE MAIL A WEEK FROM NOW. So here I am, I’ve put my Netflix account on hold and giving Blockbuster a try. I heard they censor movies in the same way Walmart censors their CDs so I will have to put that to the test by renting Pulp Fiction (the ultimate test).
P.S. I am referring to Blockbuster’s Online store that offer DVDs via mail like Netflix, not their brick and mortar stores that offer the flat fee rentals.
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Wow! I have to see how it plays out. Keep us posted Mel. (We do love our Netflix)
Yes, please let me know what you decide.
stick with netflix. i have 12 free months thru my apartment complex, and ihave to say its working very well for me. but let me know how blockbuster does. since i already have this free plan for a year i won’t be swtiching.
Netflix deliberately throttles in shipping your DVDs if you’re classified as a “heavy renter”. Here’s a recent msg I got from Netflix:
“In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we
give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our
service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may
experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.”
I do not agree with this policy and I feel that they should have let the users know about this when they first signed up. For this reason alone, I’m switching to Blockbuster.
“For this reason alone, I’m switching to Blockbuster.”
Well, that’s pretty ignorant.
Mark
I’ve watched several seasons of “24″ (cussing and violence included) and it’s so much better to watch something like that when you can watch it in succession and then just mail them in. And I get away with renting a lot more of the stuff my wife would never let me pay $5/ea. for at B-buster store (movies I’ve already seen). Now the only decision I need to make is if I stay with the Netflix 3-at-a-time or jump to more movies. No wonder no one goes to the movies anymore!
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.
In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we
give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our
service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may
experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.”
the huge catalog of DVDs etc. Why would I switch you might ask?
I am trying both as we speak. However I do get my netfix usually 1 day quicker. Also most of the time the Blockbuster return enevelopes are destroyed in shipping, so cant be used for the return. I will be cancelling my blockbuster at the end of my free trial